It is the same kind of intense scrutiny successive Chelsea managers have operated under since he left Stamford Bridge in September 2007.

Roberto Di Matteo became the latest casualty of Roman Abramovich's seemingly never-ending quest for complete perfection yesterday when he was axed.

"I am never happy when a manager is sacked," he said.

"It can happen to me so I never enjoy it. I always feel sorry for him and his family.

"Our lives are very similar. I am not happy with any situation."

Rafael Benitez is the surprise choice to take over from Di Matteo on an interim basis.

The Spaniard had a tempestuous relationship with Mourinho during his days as Liverpool manager, masterminding two Champions League semi-final wins over the Blues, including in 2005 when Luis Garcia took the Merseyside outfit to Istanbul with what Mourinho described as a "ghost" goal.

But Mourinho put his differences with Benitez to one side to wish him good luck.

"I like my old clubs to win," he said. "I always wish the managers of my former clubs well so I always wish good look to managers of my former clubs.